carwow: All BMW M3 Generations DRAG RACE

[oceansize]

Have to agree, drove a mint one when I was looking to sell the e46 and just wasn't feeling it, appreciated the e46 even more afterward.

Yeah I classify a standard stock E9x M3 as competent but not fun. I'm honestly not sure how anyone can drive it in stock form and feel like it has an abundance of character. I'm sure it can made a lot more fun and engaging with mods which is why I was careful to say stock form. I haven't driven one properly modified so I can't comment. The reason I drove a few was because I was convinced it was the V8 car I wanted but when I finally did test them out they felt numb and unengaging under most street driven scenarios (in fairness to tbonem3). Plus I simply wasn't looking for something to mod which I immediately knew I would have to do so my V8 purchases were under the guise of buy, make really small improvements where necessary, drive, and then do dumb stuff with heaps of gnarly torque. Again I haven't driven a modified example nor any of the special editions.

[Icecream]

Yeah I classify a standard stock E9x M3 as competent but not fun. I'm honestly not sure how anyone can drive it in stock form and feel like it has an abundance of character. I'm sure it can made a lot more fun and engaging with mods which is why I was careful to say stock form. I haven't driven one properly modified so I can't comment. The reason I drove a few was because I was convinced it was the V8 car I wanted but when I finally did test them out they felt numb and unengaging under most street driven scenarios (in fairness to tbonem3). Plus I simply wasn't looking for something to mod which I immediately knew I would have to do so my V8 purchases were under the guise of buy, make really small improvements where necessary, drive, and then do dumb stuff with heaps of gnarly torque. Again I haven't driven a modified example nor any of the special editions.

I was going to say the same. Modded im sure it helps a ton but still, not to sound cliche, it really is missing that x factor for me. Now I'm curious, what V8 sleds you went with...

[oceansize]

I was going to say the same. Modded im sure it helps a ton but still, not to sound cliche, it really is missing that x factor for me. Now I'm curious, what V8 sleds you went with...

Nothing too fancy. 2021 Mach 1 Manual with handling package and 2009 C63 AMG with only 27k on the clock. Loads of character in both but both are also flawed.

[Icecream]

Nothing too fancy. 2021 Mach 1 Manual with handling package and 2009 C63 AMG with only 27k on the clock. Loads of character in both but both are also flawed.

Nice! I knew one of them had to be an AMG!

[liam821]

I own an e9xm3, it's stock, but I still think it has one of the greatest engines ever. It's fantastic. Tons of character, amazing throttle response, and a great sound track.

[simonnim]

I've always wanted to own a C63, but later years without headbolt issues. Of course you can fix them with ARP studs.

[tlow98]

Makes sense. It doesn’t take much more than a diff and small mods for an e46 to be neck and neck with on e90. Especially if the e90 is a manual. The DCTs get that extra ratio which helps a lot in a drag race.

[Obioban]

Nothing too fancy. 2021 Mach 1 Manual with handling package and 2009 C63 AMG with only 27k on the clock. Loads of character in both but both are also flawed.

I’m pretty sure flaws are character

[Arith2]

Bone stock, the E92 falls flat on its face in my opinion. The powerband is like 6500 to 8000rpm. I've low and high mileage ones as I work on BMWs for a living. Stock for stock, the E46 has alot more consistent power and drives a bit better. Just did my first real drive in a manual G80 and even that lacked some character. I was not happy with it and quite frankly it's too luxury. It even had the bucket seats. It's what people want apparently in today's market. If I had the option to buy another M car, it would only be an E46 M3 at this point. Driving E90s makes me never want to see one again. Even clapped out E46s don't make me hate the platform like the E90. They're just terrible cars in general. In my opinion.

[Obioban]

I think the fundamental "issue" with the e9X is that, to experience it being a sporty car instead of a normal/comfortable car, you have to be driving it faster than is reasonable/safe on public roads. It doesn't feel particularly sporty or exceptional at 8/10ths or below, and 9-10/10th on the street doesn't leave enough margin for deer/children/other drivers doing something stupid/etc.

For better or worse (depending on what you want from a car), the e46M is sporty at all speeds. That means it never really settles down and does the luxury car thing, but it also means you can enjoy it in pretty much every situation that isn't a traffic jam. For me, this is unequivocally better... but I can also see how for people with different values in a car (not looking for an experience every time they go out), or different driving situations (e.g. lots of traffic or cities) it would not be.

[oceansize]

I've always wanted to own a C63, but later years without headbolt issues. Of course you can fix them with ARP studs.

Correct. I've installed new cam adjusters (63motorsports), lifters (revised), and the updated head bolts (you don't need ARP, MB produced a revised version which is cheap and completely adequate). Wasn't too bad.

[oceansize]

I think the fundamental "issue" with the e9X is that, to experience it being a sporty car instead of a normal/comfortable car, you have to be driving it faster than is reasonable/safe on public roads.

For better or worse (depending on what you want from a car), the e46M is sporty at all speeds. That means it never really settles down and does the luxury car thing, but it also means you can enjoy it in pretty much every situation that isn't a traffic jam. For me, this is unequivocally better... but I can also see how for people with different values in a car (not looking for an experience every time they go out), or different driving situations (e.g. lots of traffic or cities) it would not be.

Yep, that is what I was trying to get across. I know the e9x isn't a bad car but I knew I wasn't going to be able to figure out a way to make it all that fun on the street without going mach 10. I'm a simple man and I've got simple requirements for a V8 and the e9x fell outside those.

[Tbonem3]

E90 is absolutely peak BMW (the original recipe), and this is supposed to be an M enthusiast forum. What an embarrasing thread. My e90 is way more theater than any of your E46s. Big surprise none of you own one or have a clue of what your talking about, save Ian.

[oceansize]

E90 is absolutely peak BMW (the original recipe), and this is supposed to be an M enthusiast forum. What an embarrasing thread. My e90 is way more theater than any of your E46s. Big surprise none of you own one or have a clue of what your talking about, save Ian.

I'm being unnecessarily mean to tbonem3 who while at times is over the top he is nonetheless a good dude and helpful, deleted this post even though there were no curse words or anything dramatic.

I apologize for saying your car is boring, sincerely. Henceforth I pledge to only say good things about M cars (I think).

[Toby22]

You must be joking but I guess I didn't realize they were unobtainium. I've driven them and for a v8, stock, they are boring. Boring, numb, and devoid of character.

I agree. E9X feels numb and gutless around town. you really do need to mod them to open it up. Makes e46 feel punchy in comparison. It’s a 3750lb sedan based 3series with little to no low end tq. It drove exactly how I expected.

It’s also funny how majority labeled E9X ugly boats when they first came out…and many of these same people are now praising them